On 'Project Runway,' Tim Gunn is the mentor who guides the designers. He advises contestants in the workroom, helps them interpret challenges, and encourages them to improve their designs under intense deadlines.
Gunn joined the series when it premiered in 2004, while Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia formed the original judging panel. His background made him a natural mentor: he taught at Parsons School of Design and became chair of its fashion design department in 2000.
Viewers sometimes confuse Gunn with the judges because he evaluates the designers' progress and participates in runway episodes. His best-known encouragement, “Make it work,” became one of the show's signature phrases. Gunn later left the original series with Klum for the fashion competition Making the Cut, while Christian Siriano became a mentor on later Project Runway seasons.